Forensics Journal - Stevenson University 2013 | Page 8

FORENSICS JOURNAL

bring it to the central office. They have to be approved by the Medical Examiner’s Office and licensed by the Board of Morticians. Upon
arrival, one of the Medical Examiners will perform the autopsy.
Autopsies are performed same day if the body arrives before noon
and by the next day if the body arrives after noon. Therefore, no
body remains here for more than twenty four hours unless there is
an unusual circumstance, such as an unclaimed body. No fewer than
two people will participate in the autopsy and review of the case, but
typically more may participate depending on how many residents and
fellows are working at the time. Assignments are rotated amongst the
team in the building. Every day there are three Medical Examiners
performing autopsies, as well as two fellows (in training and under
supervision) and five residents (also under supervision.) Assignments
are rotated between Medical Examiners, but if a Medical Examiner is
unwilling to do a particular assignment, which can happen on occasion, there are others who are always willing to take over.

WHEN IS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER REQUIRED TO MAKE
THE DETERMINATION OF DEATH AND WHEN CAN IT BE
MADE BY A DOCTOR OR OTHER MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?
Any non-natural death must be reported to the Office of the Chief
Medical Examiner. If a doctor is willing to sign a death certificate at
the scene, the victim will be transported to a funeral home and we
will not become involved. In a s